Are we becoming a forgetful nation?

Turns out that there has been a significant rise in dementia-related cases in India over the last two and a half decades. Spot the risk factors of this memory disorder.

A report published in Lancet Neurology journal in 2018, revealed that from 1990-2016, India witnessed nearly 2.9 million cases of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia cases and nearly 1.4 lakh deaths arising from theese conditions. According to the findings of the result, the number of people who have Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia globally increased from 20.2 million in 1990 to 43.8 million in 2016. Currently, dementia is the fifth most common cause of death globally and the second most common after the coronary heart disease in the age group of 70 and above. Watch out for the top risk factors behind dementia.

Stroke

According to the World Health Organisation, every year, 15 million people have a stroke. Globally, around 50 million people suffer from dementia and this number is expected to almost double ever 20 years. By 2050, the number is expected to reach 131 million. The figures are alarming and a matter of concern. Now, a new study by the University of Exeter Medical School which analyzed data on stroke and dementia risk from 3.2 million people around the world, found that a stroke can increase the risk of dementia significantly. This new research, which is published in the leading dementia journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, found that dementia risk is increased by 70 per cent due to the history of stroke and recent strokes more than doubled the risk. Thus, improvements in stroke prevention and post-stroke care may be helpful in keeping dementia at bay. The characteristics of stroke like the location and extent of brain damage may help explain the difference in dementia risk observed between studies and according to some suggestions, following a stroke, the dementia risk may be higher for men. The findings suggested that this figure could be even higher, and emphasize the importance of protecting the blood supply to the brain when trying to reduce the global burden of dementia.

Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a fatal condition in which a pregnant woman may tend to develop abnormally high blood pressure (hypertension) and other complications. It can take a toll on about 3-5 per cent of pregnancies and can be harmful to both, the mother and baby. A recent study published by The British Medical Journal finds that pre-eclampsia is linked with an increased risk of later dementia, mainly vascular dementia, which is caused owing to the reduced blood supply to the brain and the reason behind this is - diseased blood vessels. Identifying a history of this condition can help physicians to spot women who might benefit from early interventions like managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Diabetes

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A steeper decline in mental function is seen over time in the middle-aged people suffering from diabetes when compared to their non-diabetic peers. According to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2014, if the sugar control is worse the drop in mental capacity is sharper. Follow healthy lifestyle modifications like eating a well-balanced diet, exercise and manage your blood sugar levels along with medications if you have diabetes. Your brain is fuelled by sugar so the overtreatment of diabetes can cause damage as well.

Sleep issues

A study conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, discovered a mechanism which associates poor sleep with deterioration of brain function. It is proven that a sleepless night can lead to levels of the Alzheimer's protein amyloid beta to increase faster than the brain's waste-disposal system can remove it. Persistently high levels of the protein can result in some serious of changes in the brain that can cause dementia.

Smoking

According to a study conducted by researchers at Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea, smoking can have a negative impact on your brain and memory in the long run. Furthermore, the study also found that men who never smoked and or those who quit smoking were less likely to develop dementia.

Alcohol consumption

According to studies, light drinking may protect your brain but heavy or binge drinking can lead to stroke and dementia. Try to limit your alcohol consumption to improve your brain health

Depression

Many studies reveal that your dementia risk may be doubled due to depression. Moreover, people suffering from depression who are diagnosed with high blood pressure are thrice at the risk of suffering from dementia, say experts in the field. Exercise, socializing and opting for physical activities that you like can help you deal with depression.